The AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge

✓ The AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge is designed to support breakthrough technologies that strengthen food security and build long-term resilience for Tunisia’s agriculture.

✓ They empower local and international entrepreneurial scientists to test, scale-up, and grow their innovations into market-ready solutions providing tailored business mentorship, technical assistance, market access, product validation, and pilot testing with end-users.

✓ The AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge is led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP), and implemented in collaboration with CGIAR Centers - International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and local institutions – L’Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (IRESA). Endorsed by Tunisia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries. This project is supported by a network of national, regional, and international partners: L’Ecole Supérieure des Industries Alimentaires de Tunis (ESIAT), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies - Bari (CIHEAM Bari), Il Centro Nazionale Agritech (Fondazione Agritech), Almacube, E4Impact, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean area (PRIMA), the Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises (BUSINESSMED), the Climate Resilient Africa Fund (CRAF), and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD).

✓ Legal entity
Registration as a legal entity is not required at the time of application. Applicants may be in the process of registering, and support will be provided as needed. Applications are accepted from registered entities as well as individuals or teams affiliated with a national or international research center or university in Tunisia. Applicants must be the sole investors and copyright holders of the solution.

✓ Relevance to Tunisia
Your solution must address key challenges in Tunisia’s agricultural landscape and align with at least one of the project’s priority areas. We are seeking innovations that directly respond to local needs and create tangible value for farmers, agribusinesses and the wider ecosystem.

✓ Technology Readiness
Your solution should be at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage, ideally with some end-user testing already completed. Applicants should be actively fundraising, preferably at the pre-seed or seed stage, with a clear plan for next steps in product and business development.

✓ Scientific Validation
Your solution should introduce novel ideas or clear improvement over existing concepts, technologies or approaches. The focus is on innovation with purpose addressing specific pain points while creating measurable value for end users.

✓ Sustainability & Scalability
Your business models must demonstrate market viability, growth potential and competitive differentiation. You should provide evidence of scalability, replicability and market opportunity, showing the ability to sustain and protect innovation over time.

✓ Environment & Social Impact
Your innovation must deliver measurable positive environmental and social outcomes while minimizing risks. We are particularly interested in solutions that promote climate resilience, resource efficiency and inclusive growth within Tunisia’s agri-food systems.

✓ Team Composition and motivation
Your team should bring together diverse and complementary skill sets, spanning technical, scientific and business expertise. We value teams that demonstrate collaboration, inclusivity, and commitment to driving sustainable change through innovation. It is mandatory to have at least two members that are proficient in English and/or French that can be either purpose-driven practitioners, entrepreneurs, PhD/post-doc students, researchers or CGIAR scientists and to be fully committed to the program and be ready to travel to Tunisia for the activities on the ground.

✓ Improve project

✓ Access a fully funded Bootcamp in Tunisia
Join the 20 selected teams for an intensive, fully funded bootcamp in Tunisia, with up to 5 slots reserved for CGIAR innovations. Through farm field visits, business mentorship, and pitch training, you’ll gain first-hand exposure to the Tunisian agriculture ecosystem — understanding its key challenges, opportunities, and innovation needs. Engage directly with farmers, agribusinesses, and industry experts to refine your solution for real-world impact.

✓ Build strategic connections with agribusinesses and ecosystem players in Tunisia
Throughout the bootcamp, connect with a strong network of local and international partners — including research institutions, investors, and private sector actors. These connections will unlock market insights, collaboration opportunities, and potential partnerships with leading agri-food corporates in Tunisia. Such engagement strengthens your innovation’s credibility and helps pave the way toward commercialization and scale.

✓ Gain entry to a sponsored 3-month accelerator program
Be among the 10 teams that will access the AgriTech4Tunisia Innovation Challenge Accelerator, a 3-month journey that blends technical assistance, business development, and entrepreneurial training. You’ll receive one-on-one coaching, investor readiness sessions, and support in pilot design and validation — all with a focus on achieving scalable, sustainable impact.

✓ Receive technical assistance from CGIAR scientists
Gain exclusive technical support from CGIAR scientists specializing in your area of innovation. Each team will be matched with experts to validate the scientific foundation of their solution and fine-tune it to fit field realities. Group workshops will also explore scaling strategies and help bridge science with market application.

✓ Connect with investors and commercial partners
Increase your visibility with regional investors, venture capital firms, and agri-tech accelerators through curated pitch events and networking sessions. These opportunities are designed to help your startup secure follow-on funding, build strategic alliances, and gain traction for long-term growth.

✓ Access pilot testing with Tunisian farmers and end-users
Access real-world testing environments, from farms and cooperatives to local agribusinesses. Pilot testing allows you to gather user feedback, validate your product-market fit, and explore market expansion opportunities within Tunisia and beyond.

✓ Stay supported beyond the program
After completing the accelerator, you’ll join the Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) startup portfolio. This means continued strategic mentorship, partner introductions, and access to CGIAR’s global innovation platforms and scientific infrastructure — helping your venture continue to grow long after the program ends. Reserved for acceleration program participants

✓ Test and validate your solution on the ground with end-users for up to 6 months
Through our extensive partner network inclusive of farmers, growers, and agriculture partners, we provide you with opportunities to pilot test your innovations and gain valuable feedback from end-users on the viability of your solution.

✓ Gains exposure to investors and market opportunities
The program will connect you to corporate partners, investors, and venture capitalists from partners’ networks which can open doors to valuable investment opportunities, funding, and commercial partnerships.